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Berdych barrage seals Wimbledon semi-final berth

Venus, 36, is the oldest women’s semifinalist since Martina Navratilova in 1994 as she also moved a step closer to a final showdown with her sister and defending champion Serena Williams.

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The 28th-seeded American advanced to the quarterfinals by beating Nicolas Mahut of France 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-4 on Court 18. Her loss to Vesnina means Cibulkova can proceed with her wedding on Saturday – she had planned to postpone the ceremony had she won on Tuesday.

Lleyton Hewitt wants Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic to go out swinging as the polarising pair strive to set up an improbable all-Australian semi-final at Wimbledon.

Berdych, who was runner-up to Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2010, beat Vesely 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 3-6 on Court No 3 today.

Venus Williams is one match away from another Wimbledon final.

Mounting another title run at the age of 36, five-time champion Venus beat Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan 7-6 (5), 6-2, advancing to the semifinals for the first time since 2009 and first time at any major since the 2010 U.S. Open. However, they’ve never met on grass before and Zverev has great resolve, but Berdych has enough to pick up a relatively comfortably win.

The Scot regathered, however, to ease home 6-1 in the fifth set to line up a clash with Czech Tomas Berdych on Friday night, eventually winning 7-6 6-1 3-6 4-6 6-1.

A pumped-up Vesely, 22, served his 21st of 26 aces to storm to a 6-1 lead in the breaker in what was the last match in play at the All England Club, with Berdych complaining to the umpire that it was “absolutely ridiculous” to stay on court. But mostly it’s the fact that that was the first time when I showed myself that I can play well for two weeks.

Czech 10th seed Tomas Berdych downed compatriot Jiri Vesely 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (10/8), 6-7 (9/11), 6-3 to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the semifinalists will be determined by these matchups: Andy Murray vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Roger Federer vs. Marin Cilic, Milos Raonic vs. Sam Querrey and Berdych vs. Lucas Pouille.

The decision to employ the Frenchwoman, a former world number one and two-time grand slam victor, attracted plenty of scrutiny.

With the rain causing disruption at Wimbledon, there will be play on Middle Sunday for the first time since 2004.

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In the first match on Centre Court, fourth-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany is playing No. 5 Simona Halep of Romania.

Berdych v Zverev Tips